On Saturday, 28 March 2026, Catholic students from higher tertiary institutions under the Jesuit Youth Ministry concluded their Lenten program with a profound act of mercy – a visit to Chikurubi Maximum Security Prison. More than an outreach, the encounter became a living expression of Lent’s call to compassion, solidarity, and human dignity.

Lent is a season that invites Christians to walk closely with those who are vulnerable, forgotten, and on the margins of society. In this spirit, the students entered the prison not merely to see its walls, but to meet the human beings within. Men longing for hope, forgiveness, and new beginnings. The day was marked by fellowship, prayer, and reflection, culminating in the celebration of Holy Mass led by Fr Peter Banda, SJ and the presentation of donations to Section C. In these simple gestures, the students shared the love and solidarity of the Christian community.

Celebration of Holy Mass led by Fr. Peter Banda, SJ., Director, Integral Youth Development Programmes (IYD), Zimbabwe.

University of Zimbabwe Catholic Society President, Tomutenda Chakoma, reflected on the experience:

“Today’s visit to Chikurubi has deeply touched my heart and changed my perspective in ways I did not expect. For the first time, I truly understand what it means when we are called to pray for those in prison. It is no longer about words or a passing thought — it is real and an urgent need. These are people who carry pain, regret, hope, and a longing for grace. They need our prayers now more than ever.”

For many students, the encounter was transformative. Fortunate Misihairahwi, a software engineering student from Harare Institute of Technology, shared:

“I met people who haven’t had a single visitor in months, maybe years. No friends, no family. The loneliness must be suffocating. It hit me – a simple visit can be a beacon of hope.”

The visit reminded all present that while physical walls may confine the body, God’s mercy has the power to free the heart. In this sacred season, fasting and prayer are inseparable from acts of compassion that restore hope to those who feel forgotten.

As Holy Week unfolds, the students continue to pray for the prisoners, that their hearts may be renewed, their spirits strengthened, and their lives transformed through the healing and resurrection of Christ.

By, Benjamin T. Matsika,

IYD-Zimbabwe Coordinator.